German word

toll

Pronunciation

IPA/tɔl/

Meaning

  • adjectivegreat

Example

Das Konzert war toller als erwartet.

The concert was better than expected.

Illustration for toll (great)

More examples

Die Party gestern war toll.

Yesterday's party was great.

Core concept

Something so good or remarkable that enthusiastic approval comes naturally.

Common phrases

  • sehr toll

    really great

  • etwas toll finden

    think something is great

  • toll gemacht

    really well done

Similar words

super: Casually and emphatically describes something as very good.
prima: Warmly expresses satisfaction with something good or pleasing.
großartig: Describes something outstanding in quality or scale, worthy of admiration.
fantastisch: Strongly praises something so excellent it feels almost unreal.

Definition in German

Ein Adjektiv, das Überraschung und Begeisterung über etwas besonders Gutes oder Eindrucksvolles ausdrückt.

Word origin

Toll is an inherited German adjective related to Middle High German tol, which originally described someone as foolish or deranged before developing a favorable colloquial meaning.

Usage tips

  • Toll is common in informal speech and can sound ironic when the situation is clearly bad, so tone and context affect its interpretation.

Other meanings

  • awesomeadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word